Good news on tap for new year

Published: Sunday, December 30, 2012 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, December 28, 2012 at 8:03 p.m.

Henderson County is looking at a bright New Year, with manufacturers bringing hundreds of new jobs and the completion of some long-awaited projects that will make life better for residents and visitors.

On the economic development front, the good news just keeps coming with the recent announcement that Zentric Inc., an alternative energies research and development company, will consolidate and relocate the company’s headquarters to Fletcher. The company plans to hire 116 employees over the next four years, with as many as 44 through the end of 2013. The new jobs include research technicians, engineers, warehouse/logistics staff and office support. The new headquarters will allow the company to further develop battery and solar technologies through research and design, and house assembly and administrative support.

“The decision to consolidate our office locations, and launch assembly operations, came after careful review and consideration of building options in many communities, in many states,” Zentric President William Tien said. “Henderson County offered a strong business climate balanced with a focus on sustainability, elected leadership that understood business needs, and access to a qualified workforce — all of which help to ensure our company’s successful startup.”

Developing new battery backup and storage is key to the viability of solar energy and spreading this clean, green and limitless source of power. Zentric is a great example of the kind of clean, high-tech and future-oriented businesses Henderson County has been fortunate to attract.

The list of new industries coming to our community in 2013 and beyond would be the envy of any area. Many of these businesses, such as Sierra Nevada and Oskar Blues breweries and Legacy Paddlesports, have been drawn here in part because of our area’s gorgeous natural environment and high quality of life.

Sierra Nevada plans to hire 60 production workers in April or May, with another 75 to 80 full- and part-time positions planned later in 2013 for its new $107.5 million East Coast brewery in Mills River. Attracted in part by the world-renowned Green River of Henderson and Polk counties, Legacy Paddlesports is hiring as many as 100 employees for its $4.5 million Fletcher manufacturing plant, with dozens more jobs expected next year and in 2014. Oskar Blues, meanwhile, is moving full steam ahead with plans to hire 75 to 100 workers for its newly opened brewery in Brevard.

The Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development has been instrumental in helping bring in new jobs. Meanwhile, Blue Ridge Community College is working to meet the training needs of new and expanding local businesses.

New jobs are only part of the good news residents have to look forward to in 2013. Here are some more coming highlights:

The Flat Rock Playhouse, that venerable local theatrical institution, is moving ahead with its 2013 season despite recent financial troubles and the departure of some key players. After months of conflict and discord, Playhouse leaders say they are committed to restoring the theater to sound financial footing. Those plans recently won a vote of confidence from county commissioners, who gave the Playhouse $50,000 they had withheld; from Flat Rock Village Council, which anted up $100,000 to help the Playhouse pay down its debt; and from the county’s Tourism Development Authority, which agreed to buy $25,000 worth of 2013 season tickets to help lure guests to stay at local accommodations.

Plans for Hendersonville’s new Berkeley Park are moving ahead after Hendersonville City Council recently reviewed a preliminary master plan for the project. It calls for the park to include the existing baseball complex, a soccer complex, a playground, picnic shelters, an amphitheater, gardens, walking and mountain biking trails, a wetlands boardwalk, a dog park, restrooms and parking. The plans are not set in stone but will be developing as the year progresses.

The Upward Road widening project is projected to be complete by August after more than three years under construction. The $23.8 million project includes two new bridges, a median and the relocation of gas, water, sewer, electric, telephone and cable lines.

Also, after months of delay due to manufacturer issues and bureaucracy, Apple Country Transportation will soon get five new natural gas-powered buses. The new vehicles will replace a fleet of buses that are six to 10 years old and have an average of 280,000 miles.

<p>Henderson County is looking at a bright New Year, with manufacturers bringing hundreds of new jobs and the completion of some long-awaited projects that will make life better for residents and visitors.</p><p>On the economic development front, the good news just keeps coming with the recent announcement that Zentric Inc., an alternative energies research and development company, will consolidate and relocate the company’s headquarters to Fletcher. The company plans to hire 116 employees over the next four years, with as many as 44 through the end of 2013. The new jobs include research technicians, engineers, warehouse/logistics staff and office support. The new headquarters will allow the company to further develop battery and solar technologies through research and design, and house assembly and administrative support.</p><p>The decision to consolidate our office locations, and launch assembly operations, came after careful review and consideration of building options in many communities, in many states, Zentric President William Tien said. Henderson County offered a strong business climate balanced with a focus on sustainability, elected leadership that understood business needs, and access to a qualified workforce  all of which help to ensure our company’s successful startup.</p><p>Developing new battery backup and storage is key to the viability of solar energy and spreading this clean, green and limitless source of power. Zentric is a great example of the kind of clean, high-tech and future-oriented businesses Henderson County has been fortunate to attract.</p><p>The list of new industries coming to our community in 2013 and beyond would be the envy of any area. Many of these businesses, such as Sierra Nevada and Oskar Blues breweries and Legacy Paddlesports, have been drawn here in part because of our area’s gorgeous natural environment and high quality of life.</p><p>Sierra Nevada plans to hire 60 production workers in April or May, with another 75 to 80 full- and part-time positions planned later in 2013 for its new $107.5 million East Coast brewery in Mills River. Attracted in part by the world-renowned Green River of Henderson and Polk counties, Legacy Paddlesports is hiring as many as 100 employees for its $4.5 million Fletcher manufacturing plant, with dozens more jobs expected next year and in 2014. Oskar Blues, meanwhile, is moving full steam ahead with plans to hire 75 to 100 workers for its newly opened brewery in Brevard.</p><p>The Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development has been instrumental in helping bring in new jobs. Meanwhile, Blue Ridge Community College is working to meet the training needs of new and expanding local businesses.</p><p>New jobs are only part of the good news residents have to look forward to in 2013. Here are some more coming highlights:</p><p>The Flat Rock Playhouse, that venerable local theatrical institution, is moving ahead with its 2013 season despite recent financial troubles and the departure of some key players. After months of conflict and discord, Playhouse leaders say they are committed to restoring the theater to sound financial footing. Those plans recently won a vote of confidence from county commissioners, who gave the Playhouse $50,000 they had withheld; from Flat Rock Village Council, which anted up $100,000 to help the Playhouse pay down its debt; and from the county’s Tourism Development Authority, which agreed to buy $25,000 worth of 2013 season tickets to help lure guests to stay at local accommodations.</p><p>Plans for Hendersonville’s new Berkeley Park are moving ahead after Hendersonville City Council recently reviewed a preliminary master plan for the project. It calls for the park to include the existing baseball complex, a soccer complex, a playground, picnic shelters, an amphitheater, gardens, walking and mountain biking trails, a wetlands boardwalk, a dog park, restrooms and parking. The plans are not set in stone but will be developing as the year progresses.</p><p>The Upward Road widening project is projected to be complete by August after more than three years under construction. The $23.8 million project includes two new bridges, a median and the relocation of gas, water, sewer, electric, telephone and cable lines.</p><p>Also, after months of delay due to manufacturer issues and bureaucracy, Apple Country Transportation will soon get five new natural gas-powered buses. The new vehicles will replace a fleet of buses that are six to 10 years old and have an average of 280,000 miles.</p>